Are there alternatives to Zapier that are more cost-effective?

Yes, there are several Zapier alternatives that offer more cost-effective solutions. For example, IFTTT offers both free and premium plans that are generally less expensive than Zapier. Notion also has wallet-friendly plans designed for small businesses and startups.

Which Zapier alternative is best for businesses already using Microsoft products?

Microsoft Power Automate is the best alternative for businesses already invested in Microsoft's ecosystem. It offers Robotic Process Automation (RPA) features and deeply integrates with Microsoft services. There are also bundled pricing options available with other Microsoft products.

Is there a Zapier alternative that specializes in customer relationship management (CRM)?

GoHighLevel is a strong choice for businesses focusing on customer relationship management. It is an all-in-one marketing platform that includes robust automation techniques, CRM functionalities, and is gaining traction in the small and medium business sectors.

Are there any open-source alternatives to Zapier?

Yes, n8n is an open-source platform that offers unparalleled customization options. It appeals to tech-savvy users who want more control over their automation tasks. It also has a free tier available along with custom pricing based on advanced requirements.

Which Zapier alternative offers the most intuitive user interface for beginners?

IFTTT is known for its user-friendly and intuitive interface, making it accessible for beginners. It offers a simpler, more straightforward way to set up automated tasks when compared to Zapier. This makes it a compelling choice for those who are new to automation or prefer an easy-to-navigate platform.

10 Best Zapier Alternatives for Workflow Automation

Development

Last updated:

October 26, 2023

Zapier alternatives from today's competitors offer budget-friendly solutions and features not available in Zapier, ranking them among the industry's best workflow platforms in the market. For many entrepreneurs and businesses, automation platforms have become the go-to solution for handling repetitive tasks, keeping contacts in sync, or even complex workflows involving conditional statements.

From small-scale businesses to large enterprises, everybody seeks advanced integration tools to optimize their business processes. And when it comes to workflow automation tools, Zapier often comes to mind.

Here Twelverays introduces the most up-to-date 10 best Zapier alternatives available in terms of ease of use, reputation, native integration features, project management tools, and workflow automation features.

Key Takeaways

IFTTT (If This Then That): User-friendly platform specializing in automating both business & personal tasks, along with smart home devices. Offers both free and premium plans, ranging from $2 to $5 USD/month.
Microsoft Power Automate: Tailored for businesses in the Microsoft ecosystem, it offers Robotic Process Automation (RPA) features. Plans include $15 USD/user/month for individual use and $150 USD/bot/month for bots that handle unattended desktop automation.
Make (formerly Integromat): Known for its deep integrations and advanced conditional logic, it's popular among SMBs and developers. Pricing varies, with individual plans from $9 to $16 USD/month (billed yearly) and a team plan at $29 USD/month (billed yearly).
Notion (acquired Automate.io): Combines AI-powered project management and integration capabilities. Offers Free, Plus ($8-10 USD/user/month), Business ($15-18 USD/user/month), and custom-priced Enterprise plans.
Workato: Targets medium to large enterprises, focusing on robust customer data synchronization. Custom pricing with add-on features and bulk discounts available.
Tray.io: Suitable for complex, enterprise-level workflows. Known for high scalability and AI automation features. Offers a free trial and custom pricing.
GoHighLevel: An all-in-one marketing solution gaining traction in the SMB sector. Two plans: Starter at $97 USD/month and Unlimited at $297 USD/month.
Jitterbit: Geared toward large enterprises needing complex IPaaS solutions. Custom pricing and extensive support services.
Zoho Flow: Ideal for businesses already using Zoho products, offering a drag-and-drop builder. Pricing includes a 15-day free trial, then $12-$30 USD/org/month or discounted annual plans.
n8n: An open-source platform offering high customization, appealing for tech-savvy users. Plans start at €24 EUR/org/month for Starter and €60 EUR/org/month for Pro. Enterprise requires a custom quote.

1. IFTTT (If This Then That)

IFTTT stands as a powerful Zapier alternative with a wide range of app integrations. Known for its intuitive, user-friendly interface, it allows users to create complex workflows easily. It integrates smoothly with Google Sheets, offers marketing integrations, and a rich library of pre-built connectors.

Additionally, IFTTT excels in automating smart home devices, providing a seamless way to integrate IoT technologies into your daily routines. For those who need to automate routine tasks, IFTTT offers faster integration than Zapier without the steep learning curve. With its broad appeal for both personal and increasingly business use, IFTTT is highly accessible and widely recognized.

IFTTT Features

User-friendly interface: The IFTTT platform offers a clean and easy-to-navigate UI, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
Personal tasks automation: IFTTT excels in automating day-to-day tasks such as sending emails, reminders, and syncing files across devices.
Cloud integrations: With support for numerous cloud services, IFTTT allows for seamless data transfers and backups.
Extensive library of pre-built connectors: IFTTT has a vast library of "Applets" and connectors that allow you to integrate and automate a wide range of services and devices.

IFTTT vs Zapier

IFTTT is generally more straightforward and user-friendly than Zapier. While Zapier excels in complex automations and custom integrations, IFTTT offers a simpler, more accessible way to set up automated tasks. Additionally, IFTTT is more cost-effective, making it a compelling choice for small businesses and non-technical teams.

IFTTT Pricing

IFTTT Pricing Plans: Free plan available, Pro at $2 USD/user/month, and Pro+ at $5 USD/user/month.

IFTTT offers both free and premium plans that differ mainly in the number of tasks per month. The free plan is ideal for personal use and simple automations, while the premium plan caters to small businesses with higher task requirements and faster automation speeds. If you need to execute a higher number of applets per month or require priority customer service, the premium plan is the one for you.

RELATED: 5 Best CRM for Startups

2. Microsoft Power Automate

Microsoft Power Automate, formerly known as Flow, offers an IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) solution that excels in flow plans and the integration of various components. It features a rich library of templates and integrates well with box solutions like Box integrations and Google G. Also, the platform is well-suited for business owners who use Microsoft's suite of products.

Moreover, Microsoft Power Automate distinguishes itself by offering Robotic Process Automation (RPA) features, enabling businesses to automate not only digital tasks but also legacy software operations. With Microsoft's extensive enterprise customer base, this tool is increasingly popular among businesses already invested in Microsoft's ecosystem.

Microsoft Power Automate Features

Advanced queue management: Power Automate can prioritize and sort emails based on importance, ensuring urgent matters are dealt with first.
Business application integrations: Easily connect your Microsoft Excel files to SharePoint, allowing for real-time updates and seamless collaboration.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Automate your desktop experience by integrating legacy and modern systems while minimizing manual tasks through user interface-driven automation. Automatically fill out forms or copy data between different applications, reducing manual entry and errors.

Microsoft Power Automate vs Zapier

Microsoft Power Automate integrates deeply with other Microsoft services, making it an excellent choice for businesses already invested in Microsoft's ecosystem. However, its user interface is less intuitive compared to Zapier, and it has a higher learning curve.

Microsoft Power Automate Pricing

Microsoft Power Automate Pricing Plans: Microsoft Power Automate offers a Power Automate Premium plan at $15 USD/user/month and a Power Automate Process bot license plan for unattended desktop automation at $150 USD/bot/month.

The service offers a range of pricing plans, with options based on users per month. It is well-suited for businesses that are already using Microsoft Office 365 as it offers bundled pricing with other Microsoft products. Additionally, volume licensing is available for larger organizations.

3. Make (formerly Integromat)

Make, formerly Integromat, offers a new advanced no-code integration platform that goes beyond basic automation for business workflows. It shines with its deep integrations and reusable components. Make also features a day with workflow automation where you can view real-time data synchronization and email tracking services, setting it apart from normal automation tools.

Additionally, Make offers exceptional conditional logic capabilities, making it highly versatile for automating decision-based processes within workflows. Known for its ability to handle complex workflows, Make has garnered a strong following, particularly among SMBs and developers.

Make Features

Complex automations: Make can execute a series of tasks across multiple apps when a trigger event occurs, like automatically sending a follow-up email and updating your CRM when a new lead is captured.
Conditional flows: Set up workflows that execute different actions depending on certain conditions, such as sending different email templates based on customer behavior.
Deep integrations: Sync data between specialized software, like connecting your e-commerce platform to your inventory management system for real-time stock updates.

Make vs Zapier

Make allows for more complex processes, including conditional flows and process integration, which makes it more versatile but also slightly more complicated than Zapier. Their pricing range is also competitive, and they offer more leads per month in some of their month-businesses plans.

Make Pricing

Make Pricing Plans: Free plan for individuals, priced plans from $9-$16 USD/user/month (billed yearly), and Teams at $29 USD/user/month (billed yearly).

Make offers a custom pricing model based on your business requirements. Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, Integromat provides scalable options tailored to your needs. They also offer volume discounts for businesses requiring a large number of tasks, making it cost-effective for bigger setups.

4. Notion (acquired Automate.io)

Notion, since acquiring Automate.io, has evolved into an AI-powered Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) that excels in fast and efficient automation while leveraging AI technology for project management. This acquisition has made Notion particularly strong in the business application and marketing integration spaces. Features such as email template customization and link management are especially noteworthy. The platform's integration with Google G-Suite and Google Ads provides a seamless experience for cloud-based application users.

What truly distinguishes Notion is its focus on simplifying intricate processes. Users can easily set up multi-step automations without requiring extensive technical expertise. Due to its user-friendly design and affordability, Notion has gained popularity among startups and small businesses.

Notion Features

Intuitive Interface: Notion's easy-to-use dashboard allows even non-tech-savvy individuals to navigate and operate the software effortlessly.
Business process automation: Automate repetitive workflows like invoice approvals or employee onboarding, freeing up valuable time for other tasks.
Custom integrations: Notion can link up with various third-party services, allowing you to bring your Slack messages into a Notion board, for instance.
Sales team automation: Automatically update sales data and move prospects through the sales funnel, reducing the manual workload for your sales team.

Notion vs Zapier

Notion, having acquired Automate.io, has stepped into the Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) space with a blend of project management and AI-powered automation. This strategic move not only diversifies Notion's existing portfolio but also positions it as a formidable challenger to Zapier, a long-standing leader in the automation industry. The acquisition allows Notion to leverage Automate.io's strengths in cloud-based integration and automation, thereby creating a more comprehensive, end-to-end solution for businesses looking for both project management and automation capabilities.

Notion Pricing

Notion Pricing Plans: Free plan for limited features, Plus at $10 USD/user/month or $8 USD/user/month (billed annually), Business at $18 USD/user/month or $15 USD/user/month (billed annually), and Enterprise with custom pricing.

The Free plan is perfect for individual users or small teams just getting started with Notion. The Plus plan offers additional features suitable for small to medium-sized groups. The Business and Enterprise plans provide more robust features designed for larger organizations. The optional Notion AI add-on can be integrated into any paid plan to enhance productivity and automate various tasks.

5. Workato

Workato offers a hybrid integration platform with strong and reusable integrations. It provides an extensive range of tools for integration, including real-life data protection and a focus on customer analytics. It's the ideal premises solution for businesses looking for a tool that combines powerful automation with strong customer data synchronization.

Workato distinguishes itself through its "recipe-based" automation approach, allowing businesses to create complex workflows by piecing together multiple tasks and conditions. While its focus on larger enterprises might limit its total number of clients, its powerful capabilities make it popular within that segment.

Workato Features

Advanced requirements support: Workato can handle complex automation scenarios, like multi-step workflows that involve several applications, making it ideal for intricate business needs.
Hybrid Integration Platform: Connect both on-premise and cloud-based systems seamlessly, allowing for example, your local inventory system to communicate with your online e-commerce platform.
Bi-directional integration: Sync data both ways between different apps, ensuring that an update in one system is immediately reflected in another. For instance, when a deal is closed in your CRM, the customer data could automatically populate in your accounting software.
Real-time data protection: With advanced security measures, Workato ensures that your data is secure while it's being transferred or processed, providing peace of mind when automating sensitive tasks.

Workato vs Zapier

Workato offers more advanced features, such as advanced queue management and contact management software. It also provides more custom pricing options for businesses with fluctuating needs.

Workato Pricing

Workato Pricing Plans: Custom pricing plans with add-on features and bulk discounts.

Workato offers a custom pricing scheme to fit your enterprise needs. The platform is more targeted towards medium to large enterprises and offers pricing plans that reflect this. Bulk discounts and add-on features are available in their more premium packages.

6. Tray.io

Tray.io offers a mature product with a focus on faster integration and smarter automation techniques. It has a solid core product offering that includes an extensive library of premium connectors.

With its powerful, scalable automation engine, Tray.io is particularly well-suited for organizations looking to handle complex data flows and multi-step business processes. Ideal for product leaders, Tray.io also boasts intelligent automation techniques and extra functionalities for scale enterprises.

Tray.io Features

High scalability: Tray.io can easily grow with your business, meaning you can start with a few automated workflows and then expand to hundreds as your needs grow.
Powerful automation: Tray.io offers advanced logic and branching capabilities, enabling automation of complex tasks like auto-assigning leads based on specific criteria.
Premium connectors: Tray.io includes high-quality connectors to popular services like Salesforce and HubSpot, allowing, for example, your marketing data to automatically sync with your CRM.
Email tracking service: Keep track of sent emails, opens, and clicks, providing invaluable insights into customer engagement and allowing you to tailor follow-up actions accordingly.

Tray.io vs Zapier

Tray.io is more suited for complex enterprise-level workflows. While Zapier offers more pre-built connectors, Tray.io excels in customizable, complex automations, which makes it more tailored for larger teams with advanced requirements.

Tray.io Pricing

Tray.io Pricing Plans: Offers a free trial, with custom pricing for its feature-rich enterprise-level services.

Tray.io's pricing is on the higher end and is best suited for larger, more complex enterprises. They offer a free trial for you to test out their functionalities. The enterprise plans come with features like premium connectors and priority customer support.

7. GoHighLevel

GoHighLevel offers an all-in-one marketing platform with a focus on customer relationship management and business automation. This platform is designed to replace multiple current software solutions that businesses use for various functions like email marketing, funnel building, and customer management. With its powerful, scalable automation engine, GoHighLevel is particularly well-suited for organizations looking to handle complex data flows and multi-step business processes.

Ideal for product leaders and marketing teams, GoHighLevel also offers robust automation techniques and extra functionalities for scalable enterprises. GoHighLevel has been gaining traction quickly in the small and medium business sectors because of its all-in-one platform approach. It's particularly popular among agencies that prefer using a single platform for multiple functionalities like CRM, marketing automation, and funnel building.

GoHighLevel Features

All-in-one marketing platform: GoHighLevel combines various marketing tools in one place, so you can manage social media, emails, and advertisements all from a single dashboard.
Powerful automation: The platform can automatically send out emails or text messages based on customer behavior, such as following up with a coupon code if someone abandons their shopping cart.
Comprehensive CRM: Keep track of all customer interactions, from the first point of contact to the most recent purchase, allowing for more personalized marketing strategies.
Email tracking service: With this feature, you can see who's opened your emails and clicked on links, allowing you to better understand your audience and adapt your email campaigns for maximum effectiveness.

GoHighLevel vs Zapier

While Zapier focuses on connecting multiple apps for automating tasks, GoHighLevel provides a more comprehensive approach by offering an all-in-one platform. This makes it ideal for businesses looking for a single solution to handle various functions.

GoHighLevel Pricing

GoHighLevel Pricing Plans: 14-day free trial, Starter at $97 USD/org/month, and Unlimited at $297 USD/org/month.

GoHighLevel's pricing aims to offer value by consolidating multiple functionalities into one platform. They offer a free trial for you to test out their comprehensive set of features. The enterprise plans come with added functionalities like advanced CRM capabilities and priority customer support.

8. Jitterbit

Jitterbit offers a high-performance IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) solution with a focus on enterprise-level integrations. Its unique feature set includes a variety of integration components, from simple data synchronization to complex API integrations. It also offers a plethora of tools for integration, with a special focus on interactive and user-friendly interfaces, and strong customer service support.

Geared towards large enterprises with complex integration needs, Jitterbit offers advanced automation features that can streamline intricate workflows and reduce manual tasks. Known mostly within enterprise environments, it's less commonly adopted for smaller scale implementations but has a strong presence in large-scale projects.

Jitterbit Features

Metadata management: Jitterbit allows you to handle all the behind-the-scenes data details. For example, if you're merging two databases, Jitterbit can help map fields from one to the other.
Business flow process: You can design and automate workflows to streamline operations, like automatically routing support tickets to the right department based on certain criteria.
Extensive list of app integrations: With a large number of supported apps, you can link your CRM system to your e-commerce platform to better manage customer data, for example.
Real-time data synchronization: This feature ensures that changes made in one application are instantly reflected across all others. If a new sale is recorded in your online store, inventory numbers would update in real-time across your other sales channels.

Jitterbit vs Zapier

Jitterbit is well-suited for larger enterprises that require robust, scalable solutions. Its ability to handle complex integration scenarios, including both cloud and on-premises solutions, makes it stand out. Furthermore, Jitterbit offers extensive customer support and consulting services, making it a comprehensive solution for businesses with specific and advanced requirements.

Jitterbit Pricing

Jitterbit Pricing Plans: Custom pricing options, targeted towards large enterprises with complex needs.

Jitterbit's pricing is tailored to suit the needs of large enterprises with complex workflows. They offer a variety of plans that include advanced features such as API transformation and real-time data synchronization. Custom pricing is also available for businesses with specialized needs.

9. Zoho Flow

Zoho Flow is an integration platform that allows you to connect your apps and services to automate business workflows. Designed for businesses that are already using Zoho's suite of services, Zoho Flow offers a seamless integration experience. Its drag-and-drop builder makes it incredibly easy to set up complex automations without needing to code.

Ideal for those who want to focus more on their business goals and less on manual tasks, Zoho Flow offers robust automation capabilities that can significantly increase operational efficiency. Zoho Flow is becoming increasingly popular, especially among businesses that already use Zoho's suite of products.

Zoho Flow Features

Drag-and-drop builder: Zoho Flow makes it easy for anyone to set up integrations by letting you simply drag elements into place. For example, you could drag a "Send Email" action into a workflow that triggers whenever a new contact is added to your CRM.
Rich library of pre-built connectors: With a wide range of ready-to-use connectors, Zoho Flow enables quick integration with popular apps like Slack, Google Sheets, and many others. Imagine automating notifications to your Slack channel whenever a new sale is made.
Support for conditional logic: You can set up workflows that only run under certain conditions. For instance, if an e-commerce order is above $200, you could set up a workflow to automatically add a free gift to the order.

Zoho Flow vs Zapier

Zoho Flow integrates exceptionally well with other Zoho products, making it a fantastic option for businesses already using Zoho's ecosystem. It's generally easier to use for basic tasks but lacks some of the more advanced automation features that Zapier offers. Pricing is also competitive, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses.

Zoho Flow Pricing

Zoho Flow Pricing Plans: 15-day free trial, Standard at $12 USD/org/month or $10 USD/org/month (billed annually), and Professional at $30 USD/org/month or $24 USD/org/month (billed annually).

Zoho Flow offers a free plan for those looking to try out the basic features. For more complex automation needs, they offer a range of paid plans based on the number of flows and tasks you require. Their enterprise plans provide premium support, making it a comprehensive option for businesses of all sizes.

10. n8n

n8n is an open-source Zapier alternative that champions customization and flexibility. It allows for a wide range of integrations, including cloud and on-premises solutions, and offers robust customer data synchronization capabilities.

As an open-source platform, n8n provides unparalleled customization options, enabling businesses to tailor automation workflows to their exact needs. Its drag-drop functionality and a rich library of connectors make it a compelling choice for businesses with both technical and non-technical teams.

n8n Features

Developer-friendly platform: n8n is designed with developers in mind, offering a range of tools and languages they're already familiar with. For example, you could use JavaScript to create more complex workflows.
Configurable actions: You can easily set up specific actions in your workflow to happen based on triggers. Say you run an online store; you could configure an action to send an email to customers who've abandoned their shopping carts.
Customizable integrations: Unlike some other platforms that offer fixed integrations, n8n allows you to build your own. This could be useful if you use less common or in-house software that isn't supported by other platforms.
2-Way Sync: With 2-Way Sync, n8n ensures that data changes are updated across platforms. For instance, if you update a contact's information in your CRM, it could automatically update in your email marketing software as well.

n8n vs Zapier

What sets n8n apart is its open-source nature, which provides a greater degree of customization and control over your workflow automations. It is particularly appealing for developers and more tech-savvy users. Additionally, n8n's pricing is highly competitive, making it a strong contender for businesses on a budget.

n8n Pricing

n8n Pricing Plans: Offers a free trial, Starter at €24 EUR/org/month, and Pro at €60 EUR/org/month. Enterprise pricing requires a custom quote.

n8n offers a free tier and custom pricing based on advanced requirements. Given its open-source nature, businesses have the flexibility to run it on their servers, avoiding any recurring costs. For those who need advanced features or support, premium packages are available.

No-Code Platforms:

No-Code platforms are designed for users who have little to no coding experience, enabling them to create workflows and automations with ease. These platforms often feature intuitive, drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built templates. They are suitable for both individual users and organizations looking to streamline various tasks without the need for specialized technical skills.

IFTTT (If This Then That): Known for its user-friendly interface and simple setup for automation.
Microsoft Power Automate: While it offers advanced capabilities, it is designed to be usable without coding.
Make (formerly Integromat): Described as an advanced no-code platform.
Noation: Focuses on ease of use and is designed for setting up multi-step AI-powered automations without coding.
Zoho Flow: Features a drag-and-drop builder for setting up workflows without coding.
Workato: While it is more enterprise-focused, it adopts a "recipe-based" approach, which usually implies a no-code or low-code environment.
GoHighLevel: Designed as an all-in-one platform with no mention of coding requirements.

Low Code Platforms:

Low-Code platforms offer a compromise between customizability and ease-of-use, often requiring some level of technical expertise for more complex workflows. These platforms are generally aimed at enterprises that need more intricate solutions but still want to speed up the development process. They combine the best of both worlds, offering drag-and-drop components along with the ability to add custom code.

Tray.io: Geared towards complex enterprise-level workflows, may require some technical know-how.
Jitterbit: Primarily geared towards large enterprises with complex integration needs, may require some technical skill.
n8n: It's open-source and while it offers drag-drop functionality, the open-source nature means it's highly customizable, often requiring some technical skills.

No Code/Low Code Platforms:

No-Code/Low-Code platforms blur the lines between the no-code and low-code categories, offering a more flexible range of functionalities. These platforms generally cater to a wider audience, providing easy-to-use features for beginners while also offering advanced options that may require some technical know-how. They're well-suited for organizations that have diverse needs, ranging from simple automations to more complex, code-based workflows.

Workato: Even though it is mentioned as no-code, Workato is often considered more of a low-code platform, especially when handling more complex workflows.
Microsoft Power Automate: While generally no-code, it offers functionalities that could require some technical know-how, especially for implementing Robotic Process Automation (RPA).

CRM Implementation & Workflow Automation? Twelverays

When considering various Zapier alternatives for workflow automation, the decision often comes down to factors like the complexity of your workflows, the number of tasks per month, and your specific business tools. However, if you're looking for a more holistic approach that goes beyond mere automation, a digital marketing agency like Twelverays can offer invaluable expertise.

Twelverays excels at implementing CRM systems to effectively manage customer relationships, as well as enhancing your SEO efforts to improve search visibility. Their comprehensive services also cover content marketing and social media marketing, ensuring a cohesive and well-executed strategy across all your digital platforms. So whether you're a product manager in a large organization or a small business owner with multiple responsibilities, partnering with Twelverays can provide an integrated solution that not only simplifies your operations but also elevates your entire digital marketing game.

Choosing among Zapier alternatives depends on your unique business needs, such as task volume and workflow complexity. If you're looking for more than just automation, consider Twelverays. Specialized in CRM implementation, SEO, and digital marketing, we tailor solutions to fit your organization. Ready for CRM success? Book a Discovery Call with Twelverays today.